What is your benchmark?

[Aipaloovik]

There have been a lot of threads about many different aspects of the new Mustang and everyone has an opinion or one aspect of the new car they are specifically looking for. So what is it YOU are looking for in this car? What is YOUR benchmark for a great Mustang?

I'll go first.

In short, my benchmark is the 2011 BMW 335i.

Basically, I want the 2015 Mustang to bridge the gaps that were there between my 2005 Mustang and my BMW 335i (N55). There were no gaps in the hole shot or even a quarter, so I'm not worried about major improvements there. The gaps were in the rest of the experience. The interior of the 2005 left SO much to be desired. The ride was awful (granted, that was my fault as I modified the suspension). It was loud, droned (again, this had a lot to do with my choice of modified exhaust combined with a convertible top and a supercharger) and just generally an unpleasant place to be when you had to commute in it rather than tear up a back road. The BMW was the full package. You could unleash hell when you wanted, terrify your passengers on a back road, and cruise to Vegas in comfort all in the same car.

I want my Mustang to be a full package. I don't care if it is faster than the BOSS or the Camaro. I'm not terribly worried about the fuel economy. I'm not concerned by the weight. I'm not going to drag race it. I will not likely autocross or track it. So, I want a car that will unleash the demons when I press the loud pedal, yet can keep them (mostly) contained when I have a 2 hour commute to work or a weekend trip to Vegas. From what I have seen, that is what the major changes were in the S550. The IRS, the upgraded interior, and the same 5.0 with plenty of power (for now). It seems to me what Ford did is build more of a complete car. That is what I am looking for. So far I have been very pleased with what I have seen.

What are you looking for? What is your benchmark?

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[Feeshta]

It's pretty similar for me. My benchmark would be my old 2009 135i that family circumstances forced me to sell, and my current 2000 540i. I've never owned an American car because they always had crap interiors and woeful handling, but thankfully that seems to be changing.

 

[FiveLiterDreamer]

My bench mark would be the E93 M3 souly as a performance bench mark from what I ordered you guys can probably tell my focus on this car is not about amenties or creature comforts I'm talking from a pure performance aspect. I personally think that BMW are very good cars and I know Ford has benchmarked a few of these vehicles in development. I'm hoping for a very strong platform that will respond well to handling mods and allow me to turn this car into a vehicle that will grow with me on the track as my driving skills progress.

 

[Aipaloovik]

Interesting point there Five. Let me add an additional question.

Do you plan to modify the vehicle to reach your benchmark?

I do plan to modify my Mustang, probably significantly, but my benchmark is where I expect it to be when stock.

 

[OppoLock]

My benchmark is pretty similar to yours, OP, although my wants are a little different. I'm hoping that the S550 is like an E92 M3-lite; a little bigger, more torque, but roughly the same formula. Comfort really isn't a primary concern for me. Most modern cars are more than sufficient in that department as far as I'm concerned. It looks like my main issues with the S197 are corrected: better seats, a 21st century suspension setup, a telescoping wheel, and non-retro looks.

Edit: what @FiveLiterDreamer just said.

 

[FiveLiterDreamer]

There's not a way for me to answer that question until I (or anyone) have there hands on the car. I would expect light moding if any to be able to match an E93 M3 on the track my priority upgrades will be dedicated track tires and suspension mods first sway bars etc. I do think in a straight line the 2015 Mustang will be able to keep up with the BMW.

 

[Aipaloovik]

Ah, the question was specifically for you. I just thought some people may have the benchmark of say "I want to run 10s or better." and I would presume they would be modifying the car to do that and not expecting that stock.

Thanks to all that answer, it's interesting to see I think. Plus it's better than arguing over something trivial matter or another again. :headbonk:

 

[RussTKD]

I just want a really comfortable proper Grand Touring car. It needs to be as fast as my 2011, handle better, and not make me want to stop driving after 3 hours.

 

[Lagometer]

I just want a really comfortable proper Grand Touring car. It needs to be as fast as my 2011, handle better, and not make me want to stop driving after 3 hours.

RECARO Ergomed ES, yours for a mere $3400 per seat.

 

[rkan]

There have been a lot of threads about many different aspects of the new Mustang and everyone has an opinion or one aspect of the new car they are specifically looking for. So what is it YOU are looking for in this car? What is YOUR benchmark for a great Mustang?

I'll go first.

In short, my benchmark is the 2011 BMW 335i.

Basically, I want the 2015 Mustang to bridge the gaps that were there between my 2005 Mustang and my BMW 335i (N55). There were no gaps in the hole shot or even a quarter, so I'm not worried about major improvements there. The gaps were in the rest of the experience. The interior of the 2005 left SO much to be desired. The ride was awful (granted, that was my fault as I modified the suspension). It was loud, droned (again, this had a lot to do with my choice of modified exhaust combined with a convertible top and a supercharger) and just generally an unpleasant place to be when you had to commute in it rather than tear up a back road. The BMW was the full package. You could unleash hell when you wanted, terrify your passengers on a back road, and cruise to Vegas in comfort all in the same car.

I want my Mustang to be a full package. I don't care if it is faster than the BOSS or the Camaro. I'm not terribly worried about the fuel economy. I'm not concerned by the weight. I'm not going to drag race it. I will not likely autocross or track it. So, I want a car that will unleash the demons when I press the loud pedal, yet can keep them (mostly) contained when I have a 2 hour commute to work or a weekend trip to Vegas. From what I have seen, that is what the major changes were in the S550. The IRS, the upgraded interior, and the same 5.0 with plenty of power (for now). It seems to me what Ford did is build more of a complete car. That is what I am looking for. So far I have been very pleased with what I have seen.

What are you looking for? What is your benchmark?

Wow, that is pretty much exactly what I am looking for. My benchmark car was 2009 335i (E92).

Except I want the Mustang not to chew through fuel pumps, injectors, and turbos.

 

[Trackaholic]

Benchmark cars are the Camaro 1LE and E90 M3. Would be nice to see it get close to the new M3/M4 on the track, but I doubt it will be close in the straights (which is fine with me).

I want something that handles well, is decently fast in the straights, and which has great seats and great brakes. I'll also want to evaluate the seating position, shifter and clutch feel, and whether I can heel/toe.

So far I have almost no concerns on the interior, other than the driving position type stuff. I am nervous about the weight and handling. Straight line performance is totally fine as-is. Of course the car looks great, so no worries there.

-T

 

[Grimace427]

Mine is my 2011 5.0. I want it to be as fast and as fun to drive, without compromising ride quality and NVH(clunking control arms with race spherical bushings).

 

[eric n]

For me, I would like the new gt350 (if and when) to be superior in all performance metrics to the m4 bmw. I would like the interior to be 90% as nice.

 

[OppoLock]

For me, I would like the new gt350 (if and when) to be superior in all performance metrics to the m4 bmw. I would like the interior to be 90% as nice.

That first bit sounds totally reasonable, but I wouldn't bank on that last wish. The M4's interior quality is unworldly. Huge step up from last generation's.

 

[DeColores]

2005 Mustang Gt, 300hp, regular gas, cloth seats it was perfect but it was a garage queen. Hoping 2015 v6 will be as satisfifing as a driver even with snow tires.

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